Public Lands

In Montana, our public lands are a way of life. As your United States Senator, I will continue to fight for expanded access to our public lands. This includes permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the proper management of our forests to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires.

Access to Montana’s many public lands must be properly managed in a collaborative effort. This includes by private citizens, Native American tribes, and federal and state governments. It is imperative that the federal government be good neighbors with private landowners, and I will fervently work to protect private property rights against improper government encroachment. Simply stated, I will fight to sustain our way of life in Montana for future generations. 

Daines Leads Senate Hearing on Crowding, Record Season at Montana’s National Parks

U.S. SENATE — As the top Republican on the U.S. Senate National Parks Subcommittee, U.S. Senator Steve Daines today led a hearing to examine the effects of increased visitation at Montana’s national parks. Daines invited Whitefish Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kevin Gartland as a witness to talk about the impact gateway communities like Whitefish are seeing from the boost in tourism. Click HERE to watch and download the Senator’s opening remarks. Download TV elements HERE. “Glacier National Park is one of the Crown Jewels of the park system and a major attraction for tourists around the world who support thousands of jobs and boost the economy for our local communities. Whitefish

Daines Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Increase Access to Montana Public Lands

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced the bipartisan “Modernizing Access to our Public Land Act” to facilitate access and raise awareness of outdoor opportunities on Montana public lands, while protecting private property rights.   “Technology revolutionized the ways in which Montana sportsmen navigate our lands. Public lands agencies need to modernize and catch up to the digital age by digitizing and making maps and other public health information publicly and readily accessible,” Daines said. “The MAPLAND Act will facilitate public access, raise awareness for our communities, protect private property rights, and ensure responsible, safe recreation in Montana.” Daines discussed the benefits of this bipartisan bill at a

Daines Leads Senate Hearing on State of National Parks

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines led his first hearing of the year as the lead Republican of the National Parks Subcommittee, where he examined the state of the National Park System, including park readiness as they reopen for the busy summer season.  Click HERE to watch and download the Senator’s opening remarks. Download TV elements HERE. At the hearing, Daines raised the issue of challenges national parks face in upgrading and providing needed housing to hire and recruit top tier employees, as well as the lack of housing in gateway communities that are landlocked by federal land. Click HERE to watch and download the Senator’s remarks. Daines then asked famous

Daines Pushes PGE on Their Actions to Close Colstrip

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines pushed the CEO of Portland General Electric to explain the driving force behind the company’s actions to close Colstrip despite the fact the plant supports reliable, high-paying jobs and plays a large role in supporting the region’s baseload power.  The CEO of PGE did not answer direct questions as to whether they have advocated for the early closure of Colstrip Power Plant.   To watch and download the Senator’s remarks click HERE. “Instead of investing in Colstrip and the high-paying jobs it creates, PGE and other Pacific Northwest owners have done everything they could to avoid investing in the plant,” Daines said. “This is

Daines, Rosendale, Wyoming & Idaho Delegations Urge DOI Secretary to Keep Commitment to Follow Science, Delist the Grizzly

U.S. CONGRESS — Montana’s U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Matt Rosendale and the entire Wyoming and Idaho delegations today urged Secretary Deb Haaland to listen to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) study that states the grizzly bear has fully recovered in the Northern Continental Divide (NCDE) and Greater Yellowstone Ecosystems (GYE) proving that it is time to delist the species and requesting more information on the path forward. “The successful recovery of the NCDE and GYE grizzly bear epitomizes what the authors of the Endangered Species Act first envisioned. We are hopeful that future management of the bear will follow the science,

Daines’ Bipartisan Resolution to Recognize National Park Week Passes U.S. Senate

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ resolution marking April 17, 2021 through April 25, 2021 as National Parks Week passed the U.S. Senate today. Daines is the top Republican on the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks.  “Our national parks set America apart from the rest of the world. In Montana, our parks are part of our way of life,” Daines said. “I hope that folks take this week to find their park and enjoy everything the great outdoors has to offer.”  This resolution encourages people around the country and world to spend time in America’s

Daines Introduces Bill to Delist Grizzly Bears, Put Management Back in the Hands of Montanans

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced the “Grizzly Bear State Management Act of 2021,” which would remove grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem from the Endangered Species List, prevent further obstruction in the courts, and return management of the species back to the hands of Montanans.     Watch and download video statement HERE. “The science is clear: the grizzly bear population has more than recovered in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Area. Wildlife management must be determined by science, not by activist judges. Montana-led management is what’s best for our communities, public safety, ecosystems, wildlife, and the grizzly bear itself. It

Daines Urges Action on Grizzly Bear Delisting in Senate Committee

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today testified in a U.S. Senate Committee in support of his bill, the Grizzly Bear State Management Act, which would delist the grizzly bear in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, return management to the State of Montana and prevent further obstruction in the courts. To download the full video, click HERE.  “Wildlife management should be determined by science, not a court order. The science has long proven that the grizzly bear population in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem has fully recovered,” Daines said. “Delisting the grizzly bear is in the best interest of our communities, public safety, the ecosystem, wildlife, and

Daines, Public Lands Groups Celebrate the Great American Outdoors Act

GARDINER, MT – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined several public lands and conservation groups to celebrate the signing of his bipartisan bill, the “Great American Outdoors Act.” This celebration follows Senator Daines joining President Trump at the White House for the official signing ceremony.  TO DOWLOAD TV ELEMENTS, CLICK HERE. “Well thanks for joining us today to celebrate the signing of the Great American Outdoors Act. This is the greatest conservation achievement in 50 years and I’m so thankful for so many who are here,” Daines said. Daines was joined by leaders from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Montana Trout